European Institute of Policy Research and Human Rights

Q: How do I join the European Leadership Fellowship (ELF) Program?

A: The European Leadership Fellowship (ELF) Program is the European Institute of Policy Research and Human Rights (EIPRHR)’s platform for engaging exceptional leaders thirty-five years old and younger around the world. ELF runs several separate next generation initiatives, including our flagship program, the European Leadership Fellowship (ELF). Interested rising leaders should apply directly to the specific initiative they would like to join.

Q: How do I apply to the European Leadership Fellowship (ELF) Program?

A: The European Leadership Fellowship (ELF) Program is the European Institute of Policy Research and Human Rights (EIPRHR)’s flagship next generation initiative. The application requires basic personal information (name, email contact, citizenship, etc.), responses to short essay questions, and a copy of your resume. The recruiting period is generally between November to January. Once you have submitted your application through the online form, you should receive an automated confirmation email. If you do not receive a confirmation email, please email elfp@eiprhr.org

Q: Am I too old for the European Leadership Fellowship (ELF) Program?

A: The European Leadership Fellowship (ELF) Program is open to anyone who is thirty-five years old or younger as of the application deadline for the current cycle of applications. Applicants who are thirty-six years old will be considered on a case-by-case basis. Leaders who are thirty-seven years old or older on the application deadline are not eligible to apply.

Q: Are citizens of all countries eligible to apply for the European Leadership Fellowship (ELF) Program?

A: Yes. While you will need a passport to travel internationally for the core programming, the Fellowship is open to next generation leaders from all countries.

Q: What is the time commitment for the European Leadership Fellowship (ELF) Program?

A: European Leadership Fellows must commit to attending a core program (approximately 12 days) in their first year and attending one event (approximately five days) in the second year. EIPRHR offers several additional activities around the world and throughout the year which fellows can attend, including our private galas and high-level events and conferences. Typically, fellows spend 3-4 weeks at in-person activities per year, including the two-week core program. Fellows maintain their full-time positions in their current locations throughout their time in the program. The European Leadership Fellowship (ELF) Program is not a full-time fellowship.

Q: How long does the European Leadership Fellowship (ELF) Program last?

A: The European Leadership Fellowship (ELF) Program is a two-year, part-time opportunity. At the end of the second year, fellows will become program alumni with opportunities to continue engaging with the European Institute of Policy Research and Human Rights (EIPRHR).

Q: Will the European Institute of Policy Research and Human Rights (EIPRHR) cover expenses related to my visa for travel for the European Leadership Fellowship (ELF) Program?

A: No. Fellows are responsible for acquiring their own travel visas at their own cost. The Institute can assist in this process by writing invitation letters confirming participation in the European Leadership Fellowship (ELF) events to support your visa application, but will not cover expenses associated with this process.

Q: Is the European Leadership Fellowship (ELF) Program free?

A: Fellows will pay annual dues to be in the network. The dues are €1950 for corporate/private sector members and €1500 for nonprofit/academic/public sector members. In the first year of the fellowship, these dues cover all airfare, accommodations, and group meals for attendance at the two in-person events. In the second year of the fellowship, fellows will be asked to renew their annual dues.

European Institute of Policy Research and Human Rights (EIPRHR) does offer partial or full stipends for exceptional candidates who cannot afford the dues. Our selection process is need-blind, so we review applications and select the best candidates before taking into account their financial needs.

Q: What costs does the European Leadership Fellowship (ELF) cover for fellows?

A: European Institute of Policy Research and Human Rights (EIPRHR) covers all travel, accommodation, and most meals required for fellows’ participation in European Leadership Fellowship (ELF) core programming in the first year. However, fellows are required to pay their dues in order to participate in events. The Institute will not cover visa processing fees or incidental expenses incurred while traveling (extra meals outside planned group meals, taxi costs, minibar charges at hotels, etc.). In year two, fellows will be asked to pay their dues in order to continue the second year of fellowship program.

Q: I can’t afford the European Leadership Fellowship (ELF) dues. How do I apply for a subsidy or waiver?

A: To apply for financial support, simply send an email to the address elfp@eiprhr.org with the subject line “Fellowship Subsidy Request”. In your email, please provide a detailed description of your financial need and why you cannot afford to pay the fellowship dues. If you are selected as a fellow after our initial, need-blind application review process, we will send you a financial support application to complete and may request you to submit other financial documents to verify your information. Upon review of your financial support application, we notify you of our decision to support, or not support, your participation with a subsidy. These decisions are made based on the amount of funding available and the amount of funding requested by fellows. The Institute can only support a limited number of participant scholarships per year, and not all subsidy requests are guaranteed approval.

Q: Is the European Leadership Fellowship (ELF) a full-time position or job?

A: No. This is a part-time opportunity with fellows maintaining their current positions in their current locations; they are only required to travel for European Leadership Fellowship core programming.

Q: Does the European Leadership Fellowship (ELF) pay fellows? What is the salary of a European Leadership Fellowship (ELF) Fellow?

A: No, the European Leadership Fellowship (ELF) is a professional development opportunity and not a paid position. As such, fellows receive no payments. Some fellows may have their dues and travel costs waived, but this is limited and only awarded under special circumstances determined on a case-by-case basis.

Q: I am still a student. Am I eligible to apply for the European Leadership Fellowship (ELF)?

A: Yes, the fellowship is open to applicants aged thirty-five and under, including students.

Q: I missed the application deadline. Is there any way I can be considered for this year’s program still?

A: All applications received by the deadline are guaranteed a full review by multiple reviewers. Applications submitted after the deadline are not guaranteed the same level of consideration. After the deadline, individuals may email a resume to elfp@eiprhr.org and request to be considered on a case-by-case basis. There is no guarantee these requests will be granted or replied to.

Q: What is the average cost of the program per fellow?

A: The real cost of participation in the European Leadership Fellowship (ELF), including travel, accommodations, meals, and event expenses, is approximately €10,000 per fellow in two years Program. However, the Institute covers the vast majority of this cost. Fellows are only required to pay dues, which are a small fraction of this (the dues are each year €1950 for private sector/corporate members and €1500 for nonprofit/public sector/academic members) in year one.

Q: What are the requirements and commitments for the second year of the European Leadership Fellowship (ELF)?

A: In order to continue participation in the Fellowship in the second year, fellows must renew their annual dues. Second year fellows will also be responsible for a portion of their own travel and accommodation for the event. The European Institute of Policy Research and Human Rights (EIPRHR) will provide a stipend to cover a part of these expenses (unlike in the first year, where all expenses are covered). The amount of this stipend is variable and depends on program budgets at the end of the year, the number of fellows participating in the event, and the event’s location and associated costs. This information will be made available to fellows near the end of their first year.

Q: What is the cost of participation in the European Leadership Fellowship (ELF) in the second year?

A: In the second year, fellows will be required to renew their dues as well as cover part of their travel and accommodation expenses to attend at least one European Leadership Fellowship (ELF) event. The amount of travel expenses they will be required to cover varies and depends on program budgets at the end of the year, the number of fellows participating in the event, and the event’s location and associated costs. This information will be made available to fellows near the end of their first year.

Q: What are the stipends for fellows in the second year?

A: In the second year, fellows will receive stipends to support the cost of travel and accommodation to at least one European Leadership Fellowship (ELF) event. The amount of the stipends is variable and depends on program budgets at the end of the year, the number of fellows participating in the event, and the event’s location and associated costs.

Q: Are government employees eligible to participate in the European Leadership Fellowship (ELF) ?

A: Yes. Government employees are eligible. They are responsible for completing any internal requirements to participate, if their employer has them.

Q: Who funds the European Leadership Fellowship (ELF) Program?

A: The program is supported by a diverse portfolio of funding sources, including a combination of grants from nonprofit, charitable, and corporate foundations, individuals, companies and corporate sponsors, the European Institute of Policy Research and Human Rights (EIPRHR)’s own funds, and the dues provided by members.

Q: Does the European Leadership Fellowship (ELF) provide living expenses?

A: No, the fellowship is not a full-time position and does not require an extended stay in any one location. As such, the fellowship does not provide living expenses; however, it does cover travel and accommodation for the required core programming in the first year. In the second year, fellows will be asked to cover a portion of their own travel and accommodation expenses.

Q: How would I know that I have been selected for European Leadership Fellowship (ELF) Program?

A: You will receive an email confirming your selection to participate as fellow in European Leadership Fellowship (ELF) Program which would be subject to clear your fellowship dues of first year.

Q: When I have to pay for the Fellowship Program?

A: Once your application is approved by the Institute, you will receive an invoice to pay. Generally the decision on the applications will be taken by the end of January 2019.

€3900 ( to be paid in two equal installments)

First installment due date (within 7 days after receiving the invoice)

Second installment due date February 1st 2020

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

European Institute of Policy Research and Human Rights (EIPRHR) is an independent, nonpartisan, nonprofit organization - international policy research institute dedicated to PUBLIC interest by providing strategic insights and policy solutions focused on world affairs, defense and security; regional study; and transnational challenges.